Bill > HB569

This bill requires the Hawaii Department of Education to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to implement three specific community policing programs in all department schools: Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), which is a substance abuse prevention program; Law Enforcement Explorers Programs (L.E.E.P.), which typically provides youth leadership and career exploration opportunities in law enforcement; and Police Activities Leagues (P.A.L.), which are community-based programs that create positive relationships between youth and law enforcement. The bill mandates that each school have a designated faculty member liaison to administer these programs, with school resource officers serving in this role when present. Additionally, the Department of Education is required to develop administrative rules to support the implementation of these community policing initiatives. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving schools and law enforcement agencies time to prepare for the new requirements.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=569&year=2026